Common Questions
How should I advise patients to take oral bisphosphonates?
The recommendations for patients taking alendronate or risedronate include:
- Take with at least a full glass of water.
- Take 30 minutes before any other food to increase absorption.
- Remain upright for 30 minutes after taking the tablet.
- Monitor for GI symptoms and discontinue if upper GI symptoms develop.
Alendronate can be taken as a 70 mg tablet once a week; the instructions remain the same.
Monthly oral ibandronate requires that it be taken 60 minutes before any food and to remain upright for 60 minutes after taking it to increase absorption.